There was a bang. Qin Xiu had barely finished when Xiao Yifan had crushed the teacup that he held in his grasp. Tea spattered everywhere. The muffled voices of curious whispers began to fill their surroundings by onlookers outside the hall who were taken aback by the scene.
In the hall, Xiao Changfeng lifted his hand as he cast a look at Huangfu Zhe and spoke dryly, "This was decided many years ago by the chieftains of both families. Is the chieftain of your family informed of this decision?"
Huang Fuzhe replied, "Naturally. Even my father himself had deemed this decision inappropriate. Yet, as mentioned by young master Qin here, young Xin'er has, despite our many reprimands, been accepted as a Cultivator in the mystic arts. But we were informed that young Xin'er possesses six Spiritual Meridians—an extraordinary rarity which is the testament to her potential... hence..."
The people outside the hall erupted into an uproar. Not even Xiao Yifan could suppress the change in his expression as he beheld with the bewilderment of the phrase "Six Spiritual Meridians". The words left many of the younger kin of the Xiao Family astonished, for they had not trusted in the notions of Immortals until their witnessing of the duel at the Rainbow Pavilion. The revelation of Huangfu Xin'er's potential left them without any doubt that she could one day become one of the fabled Immortals.
Huangfu Zhe waited for the commotion outside the hall to simmer down before he continued, "In fact, this is not completely against the wishes of the two patriarchs of both families. Even though our families are not being able to join together in matrimony with young Xin'er and Nephew Xiao, but I trust the younger ones in the future will surely be able to."
With the message that they only wanted Xiao Chen's and Huangfu Xin'er's betrothal to be called off, Huangfu Zhe had ultimately added another blow to the insult and shame felt by the Xiao Family.
With a face white as frost, Xiao Chen sneered coldly and replied, "Do you deem the betrothal so lightly that you dismiss the entire matter with only one sentence?"
Qin Xiu retorted coldly, "Too right you are, and since it is a matter of utmost importance, it is only fitting that the betrothed of my junior sister Xin'Er must be a person of a similar bearing. Do you have six Spiritual Meridians? Or do you have at least one?"
Xiao Chen could only laugh weakly without uttering anything. Huangfu Zhe gave a light sigh and turned to the servant girl beside him, "Please convey the message left to you by the Young Lady, Lan Xiang."
"Yes." The servant girl stepped forward impishly. Without being able to look at Chen Xiao, she squeaked fearfully, "The Young Lady had s-said... said that she would expect her future husband to be a person of honorable character and proud bearing... if only Young Master Xiao Chen c-could, could..." Lan Xiang's voice trailed off as she did not dare continue any further.
"Continue." Xiao Chen's body began to tremble.
"The Young Lady would give Young Master Xiao Chen three years. In three years, the Young Master would only have to reach Lv 3 Qi Refining Realm and enroll himself into the Skygale Sect... only then... only then, the Young Lady w-would... would... Otherwise, she hopes that the Young Master would forget about her..."
A blanket of silence lingered across the entire hall and none who stood outside dared to say anything. Lv 3 Qi Refining Realm was the elementary cultivation stages of Immortality. No ordinary mortals could ever hope to achieve such Realm easily.
"Hehehe..."
From the midst of the drifting silence, came the mocking laughter of Xiao Chen before he snarled angrily, "Is that what she truly said!?" The servant girl was hardly a stranger to him: she was Huangfu Xin'er's personal attendant; the servant closest to her who would never dare lie of such matter. Still, Xiao Chen could hardly bring himself to swallow the words sent to him by Huangfu Xin'er herself.
Lan Xiang shuddered with fear. She stole a fearful look up, only to look into the frosty eyes of Qin Xiu who scared the living daylights out of her as she stammered, "Those are the words of the Young Lady, sir... The Young Lady did mention that she would never marry a complete w-wretch... A-and, and she said..."
At this, the lids of her eyes got red and moist as she began to breathe heavily. It was apparent that Qin Xiu had coerced her to recite the words which were never the wishes of Huangfu Xin'er.
"Hahaha..." Xiao Chen threw his head backward and began to laugh. There was a sharp agony in his heart as if a blade had driven through it. "Is this truly the wish of Xin'er herself?" "So she is mindful of it after all... Hehehe... Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen... Do you know how pitiful you are now?"
Sitting quietly at the seat of honor in the hall, Xiao Changfeng had yet to utter a word. Huangfu Zhe threw another light sigh and said, "I am aware that the matter is grave tidings, especially to Nephew Xiao Chen. Hence, I have brought with me a Nine-flowered Shrub of Jaded Leaves as a token of apology." "Present the item, Lan Xiang."
"Yes." The servant girl wiped her eyes dry and produced a brocade box. She walked up the hall and opened the box, releasing torrents of blinding white radiance that poured from within the box and blinded everyone present. It was only when all of them had regained their sight that they could finally glimpse upon a little tree that fully blushed in a jade emerald luster with nine pearly flowers hanging from its boughs.
"The ingestion of this plant will allow its user to enjoy immense growth in his or her powers, immunity from sicknesses and diseases, as well as the possibility of the cultivation of a Spiritual Meridian," Huangfu Zhe explained with a tone of finality. Clearly, the Huangfu Family had not expected that Xiao Chen will be able to reach Lv 3 Qi Refining Realm in three years.
The many younger disciples and kins of the Xiao Family thronging outside the hall could only watch with eagerness at the box and its content. The present was also proof that the Huangfu Family had ties with Immortals. The consumption of the plant would allow its user the opportunity to pursue the dream of Immortality.
But Xiao Chen had not even looked at the box. Instead, he feigned a cold giggle, "I am afraid I must object, Uncle Huangfu. My response might displease you, but I do not intend to agree to call off the betrothal unless Xin'er speaks to me herself!"
"Xiao Chen! Silence!" Being afraid that Xiao Chen's insolence might anger the Immortals, Xiao Tianqi shouted at once.
Xiao Chen turned around and smiled coldly as he said, "With the presence of my father today, I trust that the matter of my conjugal affairs should no longer concern you, Uncle."
Xiao Chen's sharp reply left Xiao Tianqi speechless. Xiao Chen immediately turned to Huangfu Zhe and smiled thinly, "I have three years to reach Lv 3 Qi Refining Realm, is it not?"
Huangfu Zhe beheld Xiao Chen with muted silence, feeling a distinct difference to the young man before him. Beside him, Qin Xiu sneered, "As was mentioned in the message left to you by Junior Sister Xin'er. But for her sake, I will have you break off the matrimonial promise today no matter what, for you are a wretch not worth waiting for."
Xiao Chen shot him with a cold glare immediately and said, "Who are you to decide if I am worth it or not? You, a mere practitioner of the mystic arts who has only reached Lv 3 Foundation Building Realm?"
The steely words of Xiao Chen sent a ripple of bewilderment and confusion across the hall and the many younger kins of the Xiao Family outside. They might have heard of the terms "Spiritual Meridian", the "Foundation Building Realm" and the "Qi Refining Realm". Listening to these words spoken before them was like myths and fairy tales springing to life before their very eyes. Yet, how was it possible that Xiao Chen seemed familiar with the mysteries of the Immortals?
Even Qin Xiu could hardly suppress his body from trembling with shock. How was it possible that this useless wretch could easily perceive the level of his cultivation? He immediately composed himself and strode forth, saying, "A mere practitioner of the Foundation Building Realm? Would you like to test my prowess yourself?" With that, he channeled his True Energy and swiftly summoned a strong gale of wind that churned and howled furiously in the hall.
The rest of those present who was weaker in powers and strength were instantly sent into fits of nauseating agony as they began to lose consciousness and their blood churning violently within them. In the midst of the harrow throes, one could not help wondering, was this the powers of one who pursued Immortality? The Cultivator had incapacitated so many of them without even lifting a finger.
With his eyes set with determination and resolve, Xiao Chen could hardly wait as he spoke without an ounce of fear in his voice, "So be it then."
Qin Xiu was slightly taken aback with surprise. "This boy... he is different from the other mortals. What is he? Is he also a Cultivator? But how is it possible that I am not being able to sense his powers?"
He took a step forward. With a twirl of his fingers, an Immortal's Sword materialized and hovered before him in mid-air. But the sword did not cast any shadow on the ground.
"This is Stifled Light, the thirteenth on the Tome of Legendary Weapons. Duel with me if you dare, and I will concede to your demands if you are able to trade three blows with me."
Outside, the younger disciples and kins of the Xiao Family could only watch with their breaths held in silence. It was beyond any more doubt that the person was one of the Immortals that he was able to suspend a sword in mid-air by only his will.
Xiao Chen stepped forward and called out loud, "Is there anyone who will lend me his sword!"
The disciples and kins outside could hardly believe their ears, has he gone mad in accepting a challenge by an Immortal? No mortal could possibly hope to survive one blow by an Immortal, much less three blows! But just then, everyone's gazes were immediately drawn towards a green sword hanging over the seat of honor in the hall.
With a lift of his hand, Xiao Changfeng sent the sword flying from its scabbard and into his grasp with a shrilling ring. He had used his Internal Strength to draw his sword from afar!
"Chen'er, take this sword!"
Xiao Chen reached forth and caught the hilt of the sword. It was called Teal Blade, a blade with extraordinary sharpness that it could easily cut strands of hair and even slice through steel. A gift from the Emperor of the Dynasty of the Nine Provinces when he had visited three hundred years ago, the sword had since then became the heirloom of the Xiao Family. In his hand, the blade quivered with excitement as if it has a consciousness of its own.
"Three blows! Here I come!"
Xiao Chen brandished his sword and threw himself forward, performing a few elementary strokes of the Mystic Cyan Swordplay. The blade of his sword danced through the howling winds, its dazzling movements filled the hall as if Xiao Chen had conjured a multitude of swords. The cold glimmer from its razor-sharp edge and the force of its movements slashed mercilessly through the air that the intense pressure from his strokes grazed the cheeks of everyone present, threatening to rip and tear at their very flesh.
Unruly mayhem of surprise and confusion erupted inside and outside of the hall, "Since when has he learned how to fight! From where had he learned such complex sword techniques!"
Everyone was confused and perplexed. Xiao Yifan could hardly believe what he was witnessing and all colors have left Xiao Yuan's face for he so well knew that his strength of the Fivefold could hardly allow him to wield such complicated swordplay.
Huangfu Zhe was also shaking with shock. Never did he expect Xiao Chen to have wielded such prowess.
Qin Xiu's eyes narrowed as he studied his opponent, how is it possible that this wretch has mastered such powerful sword techniques? It was clear that his opponent's skills with the sword were far superior to his. With a tug of his finger, he controlled Stifled Light with his will and sent it forth like a white ray of light, its tip striking hard against Xiao Chen's sword.
There was a loud clang as sparks flew. The clash of the blades sent forth a strong shockwave, its force so terrible that the tablewares immediately shattered. Liquids of tea were thrown in all directions, splattering and splashing everywhere.
Several elders of the household were nearly thrown backward by the force of the wave. Recovering themselves frantically, they shared a swift look amongst themselves because this was at least the strength of a Sevenfold martial artist! "Since when did Xiao Chen possess such capabilities?"
Outside, the rest of the disciples and kins of the Xiao Family were all astounded. Xiao Yuan's expression was especially hideous as he refused to believe what he was witnessing! For years he had reveled in being the greatest of the younger generations of the Xiao Family, but now, he was clearly being inferior to a useless stooge that he had always looked upon with disdain and contempt!
The furious blows from Xiao Chen's sword generated shrilling winds as the clangs of the clashing blades continued. In a mere blink of an eye, the two fighting men had exchanged more than ten blows. Yet, Xiao Chen was still composed and calm with his strokes. With a sudden burst of speed, a teal blue flash of light tore straight through the air and lunged viciously at Qin Xiu's throat.
Everyone present, inside and outside of the hall, drew a sharp breath, "Sword Radiance! That is Sword Radiance! He has released Sword Radiance!" Xiao Yifan and Xiao Changfeng watched wordlessly with concentrated effort. Only a swordsman with powers over the Sevenfold could conjure Sword Radiance with his or her Internal Strength.
Qin Xiu felt a tingling, cold sensation down his spine. He swiftly channeled his True Energies and Chen Xiao began to feel a huge force bearing down at him from his opponent. His sword could no longer pierce forward as if being thwarted by a force with the strength of a mountain. But before he could react, the sword in his hand snapped, its blades shattered. The shards of his broken blade were thrown backward and impaled themselves into one of the great pillars of the hall.
Xiao Chen was thrown into the air and he crashed into the ground, remaining on his feet. He tasted the sweetness of blood in his mouth, feeling intense pain from his insides. Defiantly, he swallowed the mouthful of blood. With his remaining strength, he struggled to maintain his balance, using his already broken sword to steady himself, refusing to collapse to his knees and surrender his final ounce of dignity.
Such was the difference between the strength of the Qi Refining Realm and the Foundation Building Realm. Silence hung over the hall and the outside like a deathly apparition for none dared to speak. For three hundred years, the Teal Blade of the Xiao Family has struck fear into its foes that dare incur its wrath. Yet, it remained nothing but a mere instrument of common quality before the divine weapons of Immortals.
Qin Xiu heaved a breath before he jeered, "Let’s go, Uncle Huangfu." He began to leave, only to pause briefly as he passed by Xiao Chen and sneered, "What use is there if your sword move is only swift? My powers allow me to easily crush you to bits with a merest lift of my finger."
Xiao Chen did not reply. It was true that a Cultivator of the Foundation Building Realm could easily slay another warrior of the Qi Refining Realm. He was no longer that gifted disciple of the Mystic Cyan Sect.
Suddenly, a cold gust of wind blew from outside the hall and his hair, which was earlier tied together by Lil Ruo, flailed wildly in the wind.
Then again, despite his failure to defeat his opponent, Xiao Chen had withstood more than three blows from Qin Xiu. The onlookers of their brief duel were still in a dazed stupor when a deep and chilly voice rose from the hall, "Hold it..." The voice roused everyone back to their senses as they looked towards the source of the voice: the Master of the Xiao Family, Xiao Changfeng. Qin Xiu turned to him and asked, "Master Xiao, is there anything I can be of service? Are you also interested in a duel with me? I would be pleased to be able to spar with you." "Take your things and leave." Xiao Changfeng's voice boomed as he flailed the sleeve of his robes. The force channeled from him whisked the brocade box from the table and threw the box towards Qin Xiu. Sensing that something was wrong, Huangfu Zhe had tried to warn Qin Xiu, but he was too late. Qiu Xiu stretched his arm forward to receive the box gliding towards him only to f
In just the blink of an eye, Xiao Chen could vaguely feel the distinct changes in the environment of this world. Knowing that the Violet Manor was his best option to enhance his powers, he asked, "Do you have any way of leading me to this Violet Manor?" Evernight glanced at him and said, "The Mu girl you met not long ago has powers of the Core Forming Realm. Even she could hardly withstand the might of her enemies from the Violet Manor who have pursued her here in the Human World. What do you, a Cultivator of the Qi Refining Realm, can do? Remember, you possess twelve Spiritual Meridians. That alone makes you a widely-coveted nourishment." "What can I do then? Am I to remain a useless fool for the rest of my life, now that Miss Gu had removed the seals from my Spiritual Meridians? One way or another, I must make it there!" Evernight gave a light snort and he said, "There are Cultivators' sects and covens here in the Human World
"What!" Xiao Chen leaped to his feet instantly, "Why did you not tell me about this earlier!" With that, he immediately rushed out the courtyard and went straight to his father. "Yes. I think it is Perfected Immortal Zixu, the leader of the Three Pure Sect. It appears that even our family has someone who is blessed with the fortune of becoming an Immortal. We will not have to fear the Huangfu Family anymore," said Xiao Yifan with a smile. "Is the leader still here?" Xiao Chen asked anxiously. "He left two days ago. There was news of a strange and evil flower that consumes the souls of humans. He and your grandfather had left with Master Lingjue of the Sanctum of the Arcane Spring to investigate this matter." Xiao Chen frowned with dismay. He was hardly interested in evil flowers. He then asked again nervously, "Who are the three persons that Perfect Immortal Zixu had chosen?" Xiao Y
Xiao Yifan noticed his son's bad look and asked carefully, "What's wrong?" Xiao Chen recovered his sense and forced a smile. "Nothing." At this moment, he didn't know why he felt like he had lost his soul. This was not a coincidence but someone's arrangement. "Master, let's go. Don't let the Immortal wait for too long." Lil Ruo had packed their stuff. She would follow Xiao Chen as a maid. She would neither join the Three Pure Sect nor take the test. Xiao Chen nodded and walked to her when Su Qing called him to stop. She sighed and took out something like a badge. "I know I can't talk you out of this now. Be careful out there. If some senior made things difficult for you, just show him this thing." Xiao Chen took over the badge and did not know what it was made of. Also, it was carved with a super complex pattern that he did not know of. He nodded and said, "Okay. Mother, trust me, I'll be fine.&qu
Xiao Wan'er saw him stop walking and asked, "Cousin Xiao Chen, what's wrong?" Xiao Chen suddenly turned his head and looked into the distance, but he saw nothing special. It seemed that he had mistaken something. He smiled and said, "Nothing. Maybe I'm thinking too much. That Ghoulish Woman can't be here." Upon hearing "Ghoulish Woman", Xiao Wan'er's back turned cold and instantly had goosebumps as if she had been in a nightmare. Cheng Ying looked at a nearby inn and said, "Alright, I'm going back now. You can spend the night in that inn and there will be a senior brother here to pick you up in the morning." Xiao Wan'er looked at him and said pitifully, "Senior Brother Cheng Ying, do you have to go now?" Cheng Ying smiled slightly and said, "Yes. I have to go back to make reports. Don't wander in the night. There will be someone to pick you up tomorrow morning." "Uhh... Will it
The night had passed. There had not been a centipede or a spider in the room. Xiao Chen felt his head heavy when he woke up. Maybe he really had drunk too much yesterday. Xiao Han glanced at him and said, "Can you do it? If not, you'd better go home. Then you won't be embarrassing yourself in public." "Humph..." Xiao Chen turned over and jumped up from the bed. "Speaking of which, I dreamed that Shangguan Yan will be there in the test..." After his voice fell, the two youths both shivered. "It's early in the morning! Don't tell ghost stories!" A total of four senior brothers came to arrange the people who were here for the entrance test. However, there were about three or four thousand people here, making the four senior brothers' job more difficult. Thanks to their aura of Immortals, nobody dared to cause trouble. The chaos and clamor lasted only for a few moments, and then the order was restored among the c
When Xiao Chen reached halfway, he used his Divine Sense to sweep backward and noticed that Xiao Wan'er dared not to step on the chain. He shook his head and sighed. He went back, held her slim waist with his arm, and then smoothly went to the other end. "How can he do this?! This is cheating! His score must be deducted!" The crowd clamored again. The disciple on the ground coughed and said, "They are a group, so this is not cheating." A moment later, Xiao Chen landed on the opposite cliff. Xiao Han looked at them coldly and said, "You're so slow. I thought that you fell off." Xiao Chen smiled gently and put Xiao Wan'er down. She blushed and lowered her head, saying, "Cousin Xiao Chen, thank you..." She had never expected that she had to ask a favor from a man who she used to look down on. Four hours later, every participant had reached to the other cliff. Without a doubt, Xiao Chen and the other two p
In fact, this cave was also a dreamland, but it was equipped with Qimen Dunjia Formation. As long as one broke the formation, he could be teleported to the other end. It was dark inside the cave, but there was a dim light from the formation. The path was constantly changing. Sometimes sharp stones fell from above, and sometimes a stone wall might suddenly appear to block one's way. The most dangerous situation was that the ground would suddenly become a bottomless abyss. Many people went round and round and then showed up in a dead-end which indicated that he was eliminated. Some people were scared and lost their bearings. When they reached the place where they set off, they were angry and kept cursing. However, Xiao Chen was an expert at formation, and this complex and dangerous Qimen Dunjia Formation was just a children's maze game to him. He turned three steps into two steps, moved horizontally and then jumped vertically, and casually broke through this formi